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CANADA AND AUSTRLASIA

.Under the heading "An Importan Mlaalon," tbe " Montreal Geaatte of Jaly 18 writes :— We are able to anuounce this mornlug that the Hon J. d. 0. Abbott ban beon appointed Canadian Oommlasloner toAuatralla for the purpose of promoting commercial relations with that Important colony, and that be leaves to-day for Ecgland In puranauce of his mlaiion. Mr Abbott's commission we understand, autborlaei blm to deal with questions of trade and tariff, aa well ai with direct ateamahlp oommuntoatlon with Canada and oable connection. The mission, it will be observed, is a highly important one, and ooald not possibly be entrusted to better hands. The pro]6ot of enlarging commercial selatlona with our fellow coloniata at tha antipodes has been in contemplation by the Government aicce the completion of the Canadian Pacific railway brought to* subject within the domain of practical politic*, aad at the , last session of Parliament authority was given to grant an annual subsidy of £25.000 for aline of ateamships between British Columbia and Australia. The. eiemeots of a large and profitable trade already exist! At preaant utearaabip communication ia established between San Francisco, New Zealand, and New South Wales, but anticipating cloßer relationship with Canada, the govern meota of theße two Auitralian colonies have lenewed the mail contracts to San Franbisco for a year only, in order that advantage n»ay quiokly oo taken of the new route via British Columbia. New Zealand, indeed, baa practloally manU tested ber desire to promote intercolonial trade by votiog » subsidy of £18,000 annually to a steamship line from Utmada, aod the New South Walea Government, it Is believed, stands ready to reclprooate when a feasible scheme has been evolved. Mr Abbott's duty w^l be to convince the Australians that aa speedy, as eoofcomioal, and as eonveuient a commonloatlon can be maintained between tha antipodes and British Columbia ai with San Franc.tco, that the facilities for trade will be in no wise diminished, •nd that an alternative route to England reliable at all ssasoua, oan thao be established. Fortified with the grant of £26,000 yearly already made by the Dominion Parliament, with the authority to propoae reciprocal trade relations baaed on tariff concessions, with his full and accurate knowledge of the resources, capabilities, and transportation facilities ot Canada, we bave reason to expect that Mr Abbott's important mission will be fruitful of highly benefiolal reenlta, and that tt may be ao must be tue wish of every Intelligent and true Canadian.

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